SPILL BOOK REVIEW: DAVE HUNTER – FENDER TELECASTER: 75 YEARS

DAVE HUNTER – FENDER TELECASTER: 75 YEARS

MOTORBOOKS

BOOK REVIEW BY ANDRE SKINNER

Few guitars have a story as rich as the Fender Telecaster, and this outstanding book captures every detail of its creation while charting the guitar’s journey into the modern era. From Leo Fender’s time as an electronics enthusiast designing radios, turntables, and eventually electric guitars, this book covers all the historical details of how the Fender Telecaster came into existence. With sharp design notes, gorgeous vintage photography, and an incredible level of historical detail, guitar historian Dave Hunter lays it all out. This is Fender Telecaster: 75 Years. Class is in session!

Amplified guitars have a long, winding history. From parlour acoustics to dreadnoughts to archtops, there was always one big issue: volume. On stage, acoustics couldn’t hold their own against pianos, brass, or drums. That all changed when Rickenbacker introduced the Electro A-22 lap steel, better known as the “frying pan,” fitted with magnetic pickups. Once that hit the market, the race was on. Gibson, Epiphone, Gretsch, and eventually Fender, all jumped in, with Fender’s first entry being the K&F Lap Steel, built in Fullerton, CA, with George Kauffman.

After plenty of competition and who knows how many prototypes, Leo Fender finally landed on the design he believed would be a home run: the Fender Broadcaster, released in 1950. That name didn’t last however, Gretsch already had a drum kit on the market called the “Broadkaster.” After some legal wrangling, Fender dropped the original name and the Telecaster was born.

The Telecaster has locked down its place as one of the top three electric guitar designs of all time, right alongside the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson Les Paul. Even people who don’t play a note of music would likely recognize one of those three silhouettes.,

This book isn’t a quick read. At 224 pages, there’s a lot to digest, but it’s laid out chronologically, so you can jump into whatever era of the Tele you want to learn about. Either way, it’s a gripping page-turner from front to back.

Hunter’s book digs into five key areas: the Telecaster’s design evolution, its construction and electronics, the CBS corporate takeover (and later employee buyout), Fender’s balance of tradition vs. innovation, and the rise of the Fender Custom Shop.

And of course, no Tele story would be complete without the players who made it famous: Bruce Springsteen, Joe Strummer, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Brad Paisley, Chrissie Hynde, Susan Tedeschi, Vince Gill, James Burton, and plenty more. All photos of the above artists including many more from black and white to full colour are carefully chosen to be all of very high quality and pure eye candy for the reader.

Fender Telecaster: 75 Years also goes deep on rarities, from the 1950s and ’60s originals to Custom Shop masterpieces after its 1986 launch. There are even callouts to Fender’s vintage amps and earlier curiosities.

From the Hawaiian guitar-and-amp set of 1948 to John 5’s hot-rodded Signature model Tele, this book covers everything you need to know about this iconic axe and its storied history. Aesthetically, it comes with a beautifully designed hardcover slipcase and would look incredible on your great-room coffee table or in your studio lounge. If you’re a Fender Guitars fanatic, this book is a must for your collection and is sure to impress anyone who picks it up.

ISBN-13 – 9780760389317

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